Leni is a distinctive boys' name in England & Wales, ranking #3684 in 2025 with 5 recorded births. The name reached its all-time peak in 2024 with 9 births ranking #2444. In 2025, approximately 1 in every 54,387 boys born was named Leni. FALLING Recent data shows the name is currently falling.
Leni is a cheerful, compact nickname-style name used in several European traditions. Its exact meaning depends on the longer name behind it, though it is often linked to the Helen family and light-related roots.
Once mainly a pet form, Leni now often stands alone as a given name. Its rise fits the broader modern love of short, warm names that still feel established.